If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Dwv?

First year beek here. Weather here has been cold, rainy, and windy so I have not been inside the hive in nearly 3 weeks. Not to mention their attitude has been horrible. I've been avoiding them a little. I'm seeing a handful of bees with deformed wings outside the hive. I did a 3 day mite count. The average was 26 per day. Quick history - This hive was new this year started with a package of bees. Foundationless. They were in two deeps and swarmed 8/3. The queen failed to return mated (lots of dragonflies here). On 8/29 a friend came with 2 frames of brood and a queen. He did a shake out, yada yada yada 10 days later I did a newspaper combine and all is well. Now I'm seeing a few bees with deformed wings.

So - I'm not going to treat them. My big question is about the equipment. If the colony dies from dwv or just doesn't winter, is the virus in the comb & woodenware?

Re: Dwv?

Yes, the two new frames (foundationless) were wall to wall capped brood when they were installed. I combined the hives after they had hatched and new brood was present. They had a screen between them for 10 days prior. It's been over 30 days now and I am still queenright.

Thanks for all the replys. I'm not going to worry about them. I have two Kirk Webster nucs coming in the spring. If they make it, great, if not I have more bees to look forward to.